Projection system for smart ring visual output

ABSTRACT

A system for displaying information indicative of driving conditions, to a driver, using a smart ring are disclosed. An exemplary system includes a smart ring with a ring band having a plurality of surfaces including an inner surface, an outer surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface. The system further includes a processor, configured to obtain data from a communication module within the ring band, or from one or more sensors disposed within the ring band. The obtained data are representative of information indicative of one or more driving conditions to be displayed to the driver. The smart ring also includes a projector module display disposed on at least one of the plurality of surfaces, and configured to present information indicative of the one or more driving conditions.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/877,391, filed Jul. 23, 2019, and U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/990,109, filed Mar. 16, 2020, both incorporated byreference herein for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to implementations of smartring wearable devices and, more particularly, to methods and devices fordisplaying information indicative of driving conditions to a driver viavisual projections from smart ring wearable devices.

BACKGROUND

Information pertaining to driving conditions of a vehicle and/or driverare valuable for navigation of the vehicle, ensuring safe operation ofthe vehicle, and lawful operation of the vehicle. Typically, operatorsof vehicles are provided, via a console display within the vehicle, witha limited amount of information pertaining to the vehicle (such as aspeed of the vehicle or operational statuses of various elements of thevehicle such as the motor, oil levels, heat levels, etc.). In typicalvehicles, information provided by the vehicle to an operator of avehicle is typically limited to the operational statuses of the vehicleitself.

BRIEF SUMMARY

As disclosed herein, a smart ring device is configured for displayinginformation indicative of driving conditions to a driver via a visualprojection (sometimes simply referred to herein as a “projection” or“projections”). The smart ring device allows for the presentation of amultitude of different factors and conditions to a driver of a vehicle(e.g., a wearer of the smart ring) during operation of a vehicle. Onebenefit of the smart ring device is that the smart ring may measurebiometrics of the driver and display indications of the biometrics suchas a heart rate, blood pressure, blood-oxygen level, etc. Further, basedat least in part upon the biometric information, the smart ring mayprovide indications to a driver of an operational state of the driver(e.g., a weariness level of a driver, an inebriation level, etc.) toindicate a potential risk of hazardous driving of the driver. The smartring may be easily worn by a user of the smart ring throughout theuser's day, and/or overnight, allowing the smart ring to track sleepinghabits and physical exertion allowing for the smart ring to moreaccurately determine physical states of the wearer of the smart ring,compared to other user associated cellular devices such as a cell phoneor step tracker. Additionally, the smart ring may display to a driverindications of environmental conditions, operating conditions of thevehicle, conditions of other drivers, conditions of other vehicles, ormay display driving risk levels based at least in part upon any of theconditions, or combinations of conditions.

The smart ring device can provide indications to a driver without thedriver having to remove any hands from a steering wheel of the vehicle,or having to shift their gaze to a central console, which can reduce therisk of hazardous driving, and/or unlawful driving.

In an embodiment, a system for displaying information indicative ofdriving conditions to a driver, via a smart ring device includes a ringband having a plurality of surfaces including an inner surface, an outersurface, a first side surface and a second side surface. The smart ringfurther includes a processor, configured to obtain data from acommunication module disposed within the ring band or from one or moresensors disposed within the ring band, the data being representative ofinformation indicative of the one or more driving conditions. The smartring also includes a projector module disposed on at least one of theplurality of surfaces and configured to present, to a user of the smartring device, information indicative of one or more driving conditions.

The system may further include a power source disposed within the ringband configured to power the smart ring device, and a memory to storecomputer-executable instructions. The computer executable instructionsmay cause the processor to obtain information indicative of the one ormore driving conditions, and to control the projector module to causethe projector module to display visual indicia indicative of the one ormore driving conditions.

The communication module may be configured to provide communicationsbetween the smart ring device and external devices and systems. Thesmart ring device may communicate, via the communication module, with amobile device associated with the driver of a vehicle, wherein themobile device is configured to obtain information from sensors of thevehicle.

The system may further include a user input unit communicatively coupledto the processor. The user input unit may include haptic sensors,microphones, or other sensors to enable a user to provide a user inputto the user input unit. The processor may further be configured to causethe projector module to project the information indicative of theidentified one or more driving conditions onto a specific surface, or aselected portion of a surface in response to receiving a user inputrepresenting a selection of the selected portion.

The system may further include an optical source to provide opticalenergy and projection optics configured to project the optical energyfrom the optical source onto a surface to display the informationindicative of the one or more driving conditions. The system may alsoinclude an optical source disposed on the smart ring, and projectoroptics that are physically independent from the smart ring device andare configured to project optical energy from the optical source onto asurface to display information indicative of the one or more drivingconditions. Further, the system may include optical sensors configuredto receive optical feedback from a user, wherein the optical feedbackconstitutes a user input including one of a hand gesture, a handmovement, an input performed by a stylus, a gesture performed on thesurface of the projection, or a virtual interaction with the projection.

The system may further include biometric sensors configured to monitorbiometrics of the wearer of the smart ring, and further configured tocommunicate, via the communication module, biometric information to amobile device associated with the driver of the vehicle.

The information indicative of driving conditions may be indicative of aspeed of a vehicle, an acceleration of a vehicle, a current weathercondition, a sleepiness condition of a driver, a cognoscente conditionof a driver, an inebriation condition of a driver, an operational statusof a vehicle, and/or biometric information of a wearer of the smart ringdevice.

Depending upon the embodiment, one or more benefits may be achieved.These benefits and various additional objects, features and advantagesof the present disclosure can be fully appreciated with reference to thedetailed description and accompanying drawings that follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a system comprising a smart ring and a block diagramof smart ring components according to some embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates a number of different form factor types of a smartring according to some embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates examples of different smart ring form factors andconfigurations.

FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B, FIG. 4C, and FIG. 4D are illustrations of outputdevices with projector modules for displaying information according tosome embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a method for controlling the scrolling ofinformation across a projection on a surface, such as a projection froma projector module of a smart ring according to some embodiments.

FIG. 6 illustrates example displays.

FIG. 7 illustrates an environment within which a smart ring may operateaccording to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various techniques, systems, and methods are described below withreference to FIG. 1 , FIG. 2 , FIG. 3 , FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B, FIG. 4C, FIG.4D, FIG. 5 , FIG. 6 , and FIG. 7 . FIG. 1 , FIG. 6 , and FIG. 7illustrate example systems and system components that incorporate asmart ring. FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 depict various form factors andconfigurations of smart ring embodiments. FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B, FIG. 4C, andFIG. 4D depict smart ring devices with projector module displays fordisplaying information. FIG. 5 illustrates a method of controlling thescrolling of information across a projection from a projector module ofa smart ring device.

Specifically, the following is described: (I) an example smart ringsystem 100 (shown in FIG. 1 ), configured to present informationindicative of driving conditions to a driver of a vehicle, including asmart ring 101, a set of smart ring components 102, and one or moredevices or systems in communication with the smart ring including a userdevice 104, a mobile device 106, and a server 107; (II) smart ring formfactor types of the smart ring 101 (FIG. 2 ); (III) example surfaceelement configurations of the smart ring form factor types of the smartring 101 (FIG. 3 ); (IV) examples of smart ring configurations withprojector modules as output devices (FIG. 3 ); (V) smart ring exampleswith projector modules for projecting characters and symbols (FIG. 4A,FIG. 4B, FIG. 4C, and FIG. 4D and FIG. 5 ); (VI) an example of opticaluser inputs for virtual projection interactions; (VII) example smartring displays (FIG. 6 ); (VIII) an example environment 400 in whichsmart ring 101 may operate (FIG. 7 ), including (1) server 442 and (2)other sample devices; (IX) additional considerations; and (X) generalterms and phrases.

The “driving conditions” identified by the smart ring or communicated bythe smart ring to a user of the smart ring may be: (i) biometrics of auser of the smart ring including, without limitation, pulse rate, bloodflow, blood oxygen level, blood pressure, skin salinity level,temperature, weariness level, a cognoscente condition of the user, aninebriation condition of the user, or any other biological and biometricinformation; (ii) a state of a user such as erratic behavior of theuser, sleepiness of the user, or a stress level of the user; (iii)detected vehicular statuses such as engine temperature, oil level, aneeded oil change, coolant level, exhaust fume legal compliance, breakpad health, low battery charge, flat tire, alternator failure, tirealignment/misalignment, transmission issue, power steering fluid level,brake fluid level, transmission fluid level, windshield wiper fluidlevel, etc.; (iv) vehicular operations such as a speed of a vehicle, anacceleration of a vehicle, a current altitude of the vehicle, a lanecentering of the vehicle, a fuel efficiency of the vehicle, an autopilotfunction status of the vehicle (e.g., autopilot isactivated/not-activated), an operational of autonomous driving functionof the vehicle is deactivated, an autonomous driving function of thevehicle is activated, air bags are activated/de-activated, a seat beltis latched/unlatched, a temperature of the environment inside of thecabin of the vehicle, etc.; external factors or environmental factorssuch as current or predicated weather conditions (e.g., rain, snow,extreme heat, etc.), current external environmental conditions (e.g.,wet/slick roads, fog levels, a visibility level, dangerous breathingair, external temperature, etc.), current conditions inside of the cabof the vehicle (e.g., the temperature, air quality, moisture level,etc.); information and statuses of nearby vehicles, identifications thata nearby driver is driving erratically; driving conditions duringoperation of a vehicle such as the congestion of drivers along a road orplanned trip route, the current proximity of the vehicle to externalobjects outside of the vehicle (e.g., other vehicles, pedestrians,trees, etc.), or other factors associated with operation of a vehicle;or another element or factor that may have an influence or impact of theoperation of a vehicle.

The “data” that is received by a processor of the smart ring (via asensor or communication module of the smart ring) and analyzed by theprocessor to identify the one or more driving conditions may include:biometric data of a wearer of the smart ring (e.g., representing detectheart beats, perspiration, user movement, etc.), biometric data from auser associated device, data from sensors of the vehicle (e.g., speeddata, direction data, laser or camera data representing capturedinformation regarding environmental or road conditions), data from acentral console of the vehicle, data from sensors of other vehicles,data from central consoles of other vehicles, data from user associateddevices or drivers from other vehicles, data from a network, dataassociated with a driving history of a driver, data associated with ahealth history of a driver, data associated with behavior trends of adriver, or data indicative of any of the driving conditions describedabove.

The projector module of the smart rings described herein may be anysuitable optical source and projection optics needed for projecting animage onto a surface. In examples, the projector module may projectcolor images, monochromatic images, a black and white images, or anothertype image for relaying information to a driver. Optical sources forprojector modules may include light emitting diodes (LEDs), laser diodes(LDs), organic LEDs (OLEDs), a black body source, or other sources ofoptical energy. Additionally, the projector module may be configured toproject on a multitude of surfaces such as a dashboard of a vehicle, afront windshield of a vehicle, a window of a vehicle, a ceiling of theinside of a cab of a vehicle, a table, a designated surface fordisplaying the information, or another surface for a projection todisplay information to a driver. By projecting information onto thefront windshield of a vehicle the driver may be presented withinformation inside of their field of view without having to look at acentral console which may reduce risky driving behavior and distractionsto a driver operating a vehicle.

An Example Smart Ring Environment

FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 that may be utilized to display relevantinformation to a driver, thereby improving the driver's awareness of thestate of the vehicle, environment, and even his or her own state andconsequently improving the driver's safety profile and reducing his orher risk exposure while driving. The system 100 may obtain informationindicative of driving conditions as described herein to displayinformation indicative of the driving conditions to the driver of thevehicle.

The system 100 comprises (i) a smart ring 101 including a set ofcomponents 102 and (ii) one or more devices or systems that may beelectrically, mechanically, or communicatively connected to the smartring 101. Specifically, the system 100 may comprise any one or more of:a charger 103 for the smart ring 101, a user device 104, a network 105,a mobile device 106, or a server 107. The charger 103 may provide energyto the smart ring 101 by way of a direct electrical, a wireless, or anoptical connection. The smart ring 101 may be in a direct communicativeconnection with the user device 104, the mobile device 106, or theserver 107 by way of the network 105. Interactions between the smartring 101 and other components of the system 100 are discussed in moredetail in the context of FIG. 7 .

The smart ring 101 may sense a variety of signals indicative ofactivities of a user wearing the ring 101, biometric signals, aphysiological state of the user, or signals indicative of the user'senvironment. The smart ring 101 may analyze the sensed signals usingbuilt-in computing capabilities or in cooperation with other computingdevices (e.g., user device 104, mobile device 106, server 107) andprovide feedback to the user or about the user via the smart ring 101 orother devices (e.g., user device 104, mobile device 106, server 107).The smart ring 101 may process the sensed signals and provide visualoutputs to the user of the smart ring 101 indicative of any of thesensed signals, as discussed further below. Additionally oralternatively, the smart ring 101 may provide the user withnotifications sent by other devices, enable secure access to locationsor information, or a variety of other applications pertaining to health,wellness, productivity, or entertainment.

The smart ring 101, which may be referred to herein as the ring 101, maycomprise a variety of mechanical, electrical, optical, or any othersuitable subsystems, devices, components, or parts disposed within, at,throughout, or in mechanical connection to a housing 110 (which may bering shaped and generally configured to be worn on a finger).Additionally, a set of interface components 112 a and 112 b may bedisposed at the housing, and, in particular, through the surface of thehousing. The interface components 112 a and 112 b may provide a physicalaccess (e.g., electrical, fluidic, mechanical, or optical) to thecomponents disposed within the housing. The interface components 112 aand 112 b may exemplify surface elements disposed at the housing. Asdiscussed below, some of the surface elements of the housing may also beparts of the smart ring components.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the components 102 of the smart ring 101 may bedistributed within, throughout, or on the housing 110. As discussed inthe contexts of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 below, the housing 110 may beconfigured in a variety of ways and include multiple parts. The smartring components 102 may, for example, be distributed among the differentparts of the housing 110, as described below, and may include surfaceelements of the housing 110. The housing 110 may include mechanical,electrical, optical, or any other suitable subsystems, devices,components, or parts disposed within or in mechanical connection to thehousing 110, including a battery 120, a charging unit 130, a controller140, a sensor system 150 comprising one or more sensors, acommunications unit 160, a one or more user input devices 170, or a oneor more output devices 190. Each of the components 120, 130, 140, 150,160, 170, and/or 190 may include one or more associated circuits, aswell as packaging elements. The components 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170,and/or 190 may be electrically or communicatively connected with eachother (e.g., via one or more busses or links, power lines, etc.), andmay cooperate to enable “smart” functionality described within thisdisclosure.

The battery 120 may supply energy or power to the controller 140, thesensors 150, the communications unit 160, the user input devices 170, orthe output devices 190. In some scenarios or implementations, thebattery 120 may supply energy or power to the charging unit 130. Thecharging unit 130 may supply energy or power to the battery 120. In someimplementations, the charging unit 130 may supply (e.g., from thecharger 103, or harvested from other sources) energy or power to thecontroller 140, the sensors 150, the communications unit 160, the userinput devices 170, or the output devices 190. In a charging mode ofoperation of the smart ring 101, the average power supplied by thecharging unit 130 to the battery 120 may exceed the average powersupplied by the battery 120 to the charging unit 130, resulting in a nettransfer of energy from the charging unit 130 to the battery 120. In anon-charging mode of operation, the charging unit 130 may, on average,draw energy from the battery 120.

The battery 120 may include one or more cells that convert chemical,thermal, nuclear or another suitable form of energy into electricalenergy to power other components or subsystems 140, 150, 160, 170,and/or 190 of the smart ring 101. The battery 120 may include one ormore alkaline, lithium, lithium-ion and or other suitable cells. Thebattery 120 may include two terminals that, in operation, maintain asubstantially fixed voltage of 1.5, 3, 4.5, 6, 9, 12 V or any othersuitable terminal voltage between them. When fully charged, the battery120 may be capable of delivering to power-sinking components an amountof charge, referred to herein as “full charge,” without recharging. Thefull charge of the battery may be 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500,1000, 2000, 5000 mAh or any other suitable charge that can be deliveredto one or more power-consuming loads as electrical current.

The battery 120 may include a charge-storage device, such as, forexample a capacitor or a super-capacitor. In some implementationsdiscussed below, the battery 120 may be entirely composed of one or morecapacitive or charge-storage elements. The charge storage device may becapable of delivering higher currents than the energy-conversion cellsincluded in the battery 120. Furthermore, the charge storage device maymaintain voltage available to the components or subsystems 130, 140,150, 160, 170, and/or 190 when one or more cells of the battery 120 areremoved to be subsequently replaced by other cells.

The charging unit 130 may be configured to replenish the charge suppliedby the battery 120 to power-sinking components or subsystems (e.g., oneor more of subsystems 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, and/or 190) or, morespecifically, by their associated circuits. To replenish the batterycharge, the charging unit 130 may convert one form of electrical energyinto another form of electrical energy. More specifically, the chargingunit 130 may convert alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC),may perform frequency conversions of current or voltage waveforms, ormay convert energy stored in static electric fields or static magneticfields into direct current. Additionally or alternatively, the chargingunit 130 may harvest energy from radiating or evanescent electromagneticfields (including optical radiation) and convert it into the chargestored in the battery 120. Furthermore, the charging unit 130 mayconvert non-electrical energy into electrical energy. For example, thecharging unit 130 may harvest energy from motion, or from thermalgradients.

The controller 140 may include a processor unit 142 and a memory unit144. The processor unit 142 may include one or more processors, such asa microprocessor (μP), a digital signal processor (DSP), a centralprocessing unit (CPU), a graphical processing unit (GPU), afield-programmable gate array (FPGA), an application-specific integratedcircuit (ASIC), or any other suitable electronic processing components.In embodiments, the controller may include a dedicatedgraphics-processing unit (GPU) for rendering images, animations,characters, symbols, or any visual outputs to be presented to the userof the smart ring 101. Additionally or alternatively, the processor unit142 may include photonic processing components (e.g., cameras, opticalsensors, waveguide, optical storage, optical switches, light emittingdiodes (LEDs) laser diode (LDs), etc.).

The memory unit 144 may include one or more computer memory devices orcomponents, such as one or more registers, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, or on-boardflash memory. The memory unit 144 may use magnetic, optical, electronic,spintronic, or any other suitable storage technology. In someimplementations, at least some of the functionality the memory unit 144may be integrated in an ASIC or and FPGA. Furthermore, the memory unit144 may be integrated into the same chip as the processor unit 142 andthe chip, in some implementations, may be an ASIC or an FPGA.

The memory unit 144 may store a smart ring (SR) routine 146 with a setof instructions, that, when executed by the processor 142 may enable theoperation and the functionality described in more detail below.Furthermore, the memory unit 144 may store smart ring (SR) data 148,which may include (i) input data used by one or more of the components102 (e.g., by the controller when implementing the SR routine 146) or(ii) output data generated by one or more of the components 102 (e.g.,the controller 140, the sensor unit 150, the communication unit 160, orthe user input unit 170). In some implementations, other units,components, or devices may generate data (e.g., diagnostic data) forstoring in the memory unit 144.

The processing unit 142 may draw power from the battery 120 (or directlyfrom the charging unit 130) to read from the memory unit 144 and toexecute instructions contained in the smart ring routine 146. Likewise,the memory unit 144 may draw power from the battery 120 (or directlyfrom the charging unit 130) to maintain the stored data or to enablereading or writing data into the memory unit 144. The processor unit142, the memory unit 144, or the controller 140 as a whole may becapable of operating in one or more low-power mode. One such low powermode may maintain the machine state of the controller 140 when less thana threshold power is available from the battery 120 or during a chargingoperation in which one or more battery cells are exchanged.

The controller 140 may receive and process data from the sensors 150,the communications unit 160, or the user input devices 170. Thecontroller 140 may perform computations to generate new data, signals,or information. The controller 140 may send data from the memory unit144 or the generated data to the communication unit 160 or the outputdevices 190. The electrical signals or waveforms generated by thecontroller 140 may include digital or analog signals or waveforms. Thecontroller 140 may include electrical or electronic circuits fordetecting, transforming (e.g., linearly or non-linearly filtering,amplifying, attenuating), or converting (e.g., digital to analog, analogto digital, rectifying, changing frequency) of analog or digitalelectrical signals or waveforms.

The sensor unit 150 may include one or more sensors disposed within orthroughout the housing 110 of the ring 101. Each of the one or moresensors may transduce one or more of: light, sound, acceleration,translational or rotational movement, strain, temperature, chemicalcomposition, surface conductivity, pressure, or other suitable signalsinto electrical or electronic sensors or signals. A sensor may beacoustic, photonic, micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) sensors,chemical, micro-fluidic (e.g., flow sensor), or any other suitable typeof sensor. The sensor unit 150 may include, for example, an inertialmotion unit (IMU) for detecting orientation and movement of the ring101.

The communication unit 160 may facilitate wired or wirelesscommunication between the ring 101 and one or more other devices. Thecommunication unit 160 may include, for example, a network adaptor toconnect to a computer network, and, via the network, tonetwork-connected devices. The computer network may be the Internet oranother type of suitable network (e.g., a personal area network (PAN), alocal area network (LAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a wide areanetwork (WAN), a mobile, a wired or wireless network, a private network,a virtual private network, etc.) The communication unit 160 may use oneor more wireless protocols, standards, or technologies forcommunication, such as Wi-Fi, near field communication (NFC), Bluetooth,or Bluetooth low energy (BLE). Additionally or alternatively, thecommunication unit 160 may enable free-space optical or acoustic links.In some implementations, the communication unit 160 may include one ormore ports for a wired communication connections. The wired connectionsused by the wireless communication module 160 may include electrical oroptical connections (e.g., fiber-optic, twisted-pair, coaxial cable).

User input unit 170 may collect information from a person wearing thering 101 or another user, capable of interacting with the ring 101. Insome implementations, one or more of the sensors in the sensor unit 150may act as user input devices within the user input unit 170. User inputdevices may transduce tactile, acoustic, video, gesture, or any othersuitable user input into digital or analog electrical signal, and sendthese electrical signals to the controller 140.

The output unit 190 may include one or more devices to outputinformation to a user of the ring 101. The one or more output devicesmay include acoustic devices (e.g., speaker, ultrasonic); haptic(thermal, electrical) devices; electronic displays for optical output,such as an organic light emitting device (OLED) display, a laser unit, ahigh-power light-emitting device (LED), etc.; an e-ink display (e.g., asegmented e-ink display, a matrix e-ink display, a color e-ink display,etc.), or any other suitable types of devices. For example, the outputunit 190 may include a projector that projects an image onto a suitablesurface. The projector may include an optical source or sources such asLEDs, LDs, OLEDs, a black body radiation source, etc. Additionally theprojector may include color filters, lenses, mirrors, or other opticsfor projecting an image. In some implementations, the sensor unit 150,the user input unit 170, and the output unit 190 may cooperate to createa user interface with capabilities (e.g., a projection of a keyboard) ofmuch larger computer systems, as described in more detail below.

The components 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, and/or 190 may beinterconnected by a bus 195, which may be implemented using one or morecircuit board traces, wires, or other electrical, optoelectronic, oroptical connections. The bus 195 may be a collection of electrical poweror communicative interconnections. The communicative interconnectionsmay be configured to carry signals that conform to any one or more of avariety of protocols, such as I2C, SPI, or other logic to enablecooperation of the various components.

IL Example Form Factor Types for a Smart Ring

FIG. 2 includes block diagrams of a number of different example formfactor types or configurations 205 a, 205 b, 205 c, 205 d, 205 e, 205 f,and/or 205 g of a smart ring (e.g., the smart ring 101) that may beutilized to project and further display information indicative ofdriving conditions to a driver, thereby improving the driver's awarenessof the state of the vehicle, environment, and even his or her own stateand consequently improving the driver's safety profile and reducing hisor her risk exposure while driving. The system configurations 205 a, 205b, 205 c, 205 d, 205 e, 205 f, and/or 205 g may obtain informationindicative of the driving conditions via sensors disposed on/or withinthe configurations, or from communicating with external devices.

The configurations 205 a, 205 b, 205 c, 205 d, 205 e, 205 f, and/or 205g (which may also be referred to as the smart rings 205 a, 205 b, 205 c,205 d, 205 e, 205 f, and/or 205 g) may each represent an implementationof the smart ring 101, and each may include any one or more of thecomponents 102 (or components similar to the components 102). In someembodiments, one or more of the components 102 may not be included inthe configurations 205 a, 205 b, 205 c, 205 d, 205 e, 205 f, and/or 205g. The configurations 205 a, 205 b, 205 c, 205 d, 205 e, 205 f, and/or205 g include housings 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, 210 d, 210 e, 210 f, and/or210 g, which may be similar to the housing 110 shown in FIG. 1 .

The configuration 205 a may be referred to as a band-only configurationcomprising a housing 210 a. In the configuration 205 b, a band mayinclude two or more removably connected parts, such as the housing parts210 b and 210 c. The two housing parts 210 b and 210 c may each house atleast some of the components 102, distributed between the housing parks210 b and 210 c in any suitable manner.

The configuration 205 c may be referred to as a band-and-platformconfiguration comprising (i) a housing component 210 d and (ii) ahousing component 210 e (sometimes called the “platform 210 e”), whichmay be in a fixed or removable mechanical connection with the housing210 d. The platform 210 e may function as a mount for a “jewel” or forany other suitable attachment. In embodiments, optics for projectingimages may be attached to or mounted on the platform 210 e. The housingcomponent 210 d and the platform 210 e may each house at least one ormore of the components 102 (or similar components).

In some instances, the term “smart ring” may refer to a partial ringthat houses one or more components (e.g., components 102) that enablethe smart ring functionality described herein. The configurations 205 dand 205 e may be characterized as “partial” smart rings, and may beconfigured for attachment to a second ring. The second ring may be aconventional ring without smart functionality, or may be second smartring, wherein some smart functionality of the first or second rings maybe enhanced by the attachment.

The configuration 205 d, for example, may include a housing 210 f with agroove to enable clipping onto a conventional ring. The grooved clip-onhousing 210 f may house the smart ring components described above. Theconfiguration 205 e may clip onto a conventional ring using asubstantially flat clip 210 g part of the housing and contain the smartring components in a platform 210 h part of the housing.

The configuration 205 f, on the other hand, may be configured to becapable of being mounted onto a finger of a user without additionalsupport (e.g., another ring). To that end, the housing 210 i of theconfiguration 205 f may be substantially of a partial annular shapesubtending between 180 and 360 degrees of a full circumference. Whenimplemented as a partial annular shape, the housing 210 i may be moreadaptable to fingers of different sizes that a fully annular band (360degrees), and may be elastic. A restorative force produced by adeformation of the housing 210 i may ensure a suitable physical contactwith the finger. Additional suitable combinations of configurations (notillustrated) may combine at least some of the housing features discussedabove.

The configuration 205 g may be configured to have two rings, a firstring 205 g 1 capable of and adapted to be mounted onto a finger of auser, and a second ring 205 g 2 capable of and adapted to be directlymounted onto the first ring 205 g 1, as depicted in

FIG. 2 . Said another way, the first ring 205 g 1 and the second ring205 g 2 are arranged in a concentric circle arrangement, such that thesecond ring 205 g 2 does not contact a user's finger when the smart ring205 g is worn. Rather, only the first ring 205 g 1 contacts the user'sfinger. Each of the first and second rings 205 g 1 and 205 g 2 of thesmart ring 205 g may include a body having flexible material. Inaddition, the first ring 205 g 1 may include a first part, and thesecond ring 205 g 2 may include a second part removably connected to thefirst part.

Ill. Example Surface Elements of a Smart Ring

FIG. 3 includes perspective views of example configurations 305 a, 305b, 305 c, 305 d, 305 e, 305 f, and/or 305 g of a smart right (e.g., thesmart ring 101) in which a number of surface elements are included. Thesurface elements may include sensors for detecting informationindicative of driving conditions, or receive information indicative ofdriving conditions from external devices. The surface elements may alsoinclude output elements for displaying information indicative of thedriving conditions to a driver.

The configuration 305 a is an example band configuration 305 a of asmart ring (e.g., smart ring 101). Some of the surface elements of thehousing may include interfaces 312 a, 312 b that may be electricallyconnected to, for example, the charging unit 130 or the communicationsunit 160. On the outside of the configuration 305 a, the interfaces 312a, 312 b may be electrically or optically connected with a charger totransfer energy from the charger to a battery (e.g., the battery 120),or with another device to transfer data to or from the ring 305 a. Theouter surface of the configuration 305 a may include a display 390 a,while the inner surface may include a biometric sensor 350 a.

Configurations 305 b and 305 c are examples of configurations of a smartring with multiple housing parts (e.g., the configuration 205 b in FIG.2 ). Two (or more) parts may be separate axially (the configuration 305b), azimuthally (the configuration 305 c), or radially (nested rings,not shown). The parts may be connected mechanically, electrically, oroptically via, for example, interfaces analogous to the interfaces 312a, 312 b in configuration 305 a. Each part of a smart ring housing mayhave one or more surface elements, such as, for example, sensors 350 b,350 c or output elements 390 b, 390 c. The latter may be projectormodules or elements of projector modules (e.g., output element 390 b) orhaptic feedback devices (e.g., output element 390 c), among othersuitable sensor or output devices. Additionally or alternatively, atleast some of the surface elements (e.g., microphones, touch sensors)may belong to the user input unit 170.

The configuration 305 d may be an example of a band and platformconfiguration (e.g., the configuration 205 c), while the configurations305 e and 305 f may be examples of the partial ring configurations 205 dand 205 e, respectively. Output devices 390 d, 390 e, and/or 390 f onthe corresponding configurations 305 d, 305 e, and/or 305 f may be LCDdisplays, OLED displays, e-ink displays, one or more LED pixels,speakers, projector modules, elements of projector modules or any othersuitable output devices that may be a part of a suite of outputsrepresented by an output unit (e.g., the output unit 190).

The configuration 305 g is an example of a band with a one or moreoutput devices 390 g disposed on an outer surface 310 g and an innersurface 311 g of the ring band. In embodiments, the output devices 390 gmay be disposed on first and second side surfaces 308 g and 309 g of thering band. Alternatively, the output devices 390 g may be disposedwithin the inner and outer surfaces 310 g and 311 g, or the first andsecond side surfaces 308 g and 309 g, of the ring band configured toproject an image to be viewed by a user of the smart ring configuration305 g. For example, in embodiments the outer and inner surfaces 310 gand 311 g or first and second side surfaces 308 g and 309 g may betransparent. The output devices 390 g may be configured to project animage from the entirety of the outer surface 310 g, the entirety of theinner surface 311 g, the entirety of the first side surface 308 g, orthe entirety of the second side surface 309 g. In embodiments, theoutput devices 390 g may be disposed on, viewable from, or projectimages from only a portion of each of the surfaces 310 g, and 390 g,and/or 311 g. Additionally, sensors may be operatively coupled to theconfiguration 305 g (e.g., elements and sensors of the user input unit170 of FIG. 1 ) to detect a user input to determine where and how animage should be projected from the output devices 390 g. For example, auser may press a finger or stylus on the outer surface 310 g to indicatethe information should be projected from the outer surface 310 g.Alternatively, the ring may be removed from a finger, or digit, of auser, or wearer, of the smart ring, and the user may press a finger orstylus on the inner surface 311 g to indicate that information should beprojected from the inner surface 311 g. As such, optics of theprojection from the outer surface 310 g may provide differentmagnifications or have different image projection capabilities (e.g.,color vs monochromatic images, higher/lower resolution images, etc.)than the projection from an inner surface 311 g, or another outputdevice 390 g. A user of the configuration 305 g may prefer informationto be selectively projected from the outer or inner surfaces 310 g and311 g, or the first and second side surfaces 308 g and 309 g, dependingon the type of information, potential content of the information, acurrent environment where the user is viewing the information, a desiredimage resolution, or depending on privacy concerns among otherconsiderations. Alternatively, a user may press on a surface to indicatewhere the information should not be projected from.

Elements of the user input unit 170 may be coupled to the output devices390 g and a user my press on a portion of the output devices 390 g toindicate that information should be projected from the portion of theoutput devices 390 g that was pressed. Additionally, a user may indicatewhere the output devices 390 g should project the information dependenton different types of user inputs (e.g., audio input, a visual inputsuch as a gesture in a projection, twisting of the ring, removal of thesmart ring from a finger or digit, placement of the ring on a finger ordigit, a physical orientation of the ring, a change in orientation ofthe ring, etc.). In embodiments, the smart ring configurations 305 a,305 b, 305 c, 305 d, 305 e, 305 f, and/or 305 g may include an inertialmotion unit (IMU) for detecting the orientation and/or the movement ofthe ring having one of the configurations 305 a, 305 b, 305 c, 305 d,305 e, 305 f, and/or 305 g. The orientation or a change in theorientation of the smart ring configuration 305 a, 305 b, 305 c, 305 d,305 e, 305 f, and/or 305 g may be analyzed by a processor of the smartring configurations 305 a, 305 b, 305 c, 305 d, 305 e, 305 f, and/or 305g to determine which of the output devices 390 a, 390 b, 390 c, 390 d,390 e, 390 f, and/or 390 g to project the information, or to determine aportion, or portions, of the output devices 390 a-390 g that are todisplay or project the information. In embodiments, the output devices390 a, 390 b, 390 c, 390 d, 390 e, 390 f, and/or 390 g may display orproject an indication of a message or information that is ready to bepresented to a user. The user may then provide the user input to thesmart ring, based at least in part upon the indication, to indicatewhich output device 390 g should display or project the information,and/or what portion of the output device should display or project theinformation. Enabling the user to indicate a portion of the display fordisplaying or projecting information may be useful in a number ofcontexts. For example, this feature enables a user to selectively viewinformation at a time and on a surface (e.g., on the windshield of acar, or on a table or other surface) when he or she alone can view theinformation, thus providing the user with privacy he or she might nototherwise have. Further, in some embodiments, the band may have adisplay or projector module that occupies a significant portion of theouter band. In such embodiments, portions of the display or projectormodule may not be viewable by the user (e.g., because those portions maybe viewable only from the palm-side of the hand). Thus, in suchembodiments it may be advantageous to enable the user to indicate adesired portion for display or projecting the information (e.g., aportion of the display or projector module that projects an imageviewable from the back-side of the hand).

IV. Example Smart Ring Projector Module Displays

Staying with FIG. 3 , the output devices 390 a, 390 b, 390 c, 390 d, 390e, 390 f, and/or 390 g may be projector modules for projecting imagesand information indicative of one or more driving conditions identifiedby the smart ring. The projector modules may be configured to projectcolor images, black and white images, monochromatic images, animations,characters, symbols, or other types of images and information.

The output devices 390 a, 390 b, 390 c, 390 d, 390 e, 390 f, and/or 390g may project images, characters, symbols, or other visual outputs toconvey information indicative of driving conditions to a user of a smartring. For example, the output devices 390 a, 390 b, 390 c, 390 d, 390 e,390 f, and/or 390 g may change visual output to indicate a low batterycharge level, or other malfunction, of the smart ring. Additionally,projector modules of the output devices 390 a, 390 b, 390 c, 390 d, 390e, 390 f, and/or 390 g may be configured to display or project anyvisual indication (e.g., a character, a word, a sentence, a symbol, animage, a color, a brightness level, an animation, a photographic image,etc.) to indicate any type of operation or status of the smart ring. Forexample, the output devices 390 a, 390 b, 390 c, 390 d, 390 e, 390 f,and/or 390 g may display or project visual indications based at least inpart upon the battery level of the smart ring, an incoming communicationbeing received by the smart ring, an outgoing communication being sentfrom the smart ring, an active or inactive communicative link betweenthe smart ring and an external device, etc.

In embodiments, the output devices 390 a, 390 b, 390 c, 390 d, 390 e,390 f, and/or 390 g may display or project visual indicationsrepresentative of detected biometrics of a user of the smart ring. Forexample, the smart ring may detect the pulse of a user of the smartring, and the output devices 390 a, 390 b, 390 c, 390 d, 390 e, 390 f,and/or 390 g may display or project the color red, a specific image, oran animation if the detected pulse rate is above a maximum pulse ratethreshold or below a minimum pulse rate threshold, and the outputdevices 390 a, 390 b, 390 c, 390 d, 390 e, 390 f, and/or 390 g maydisplay or project the color green, a different specific image, oranother animation if the detected pulse rate is between the maximum andminimum pulse rate thresholds. Alternatively or additionally, the outputdevices 390 a, 390 b, 390 c, 390 d, 390 e, 390 f, and/or 390 g maydisplay or project the numerical value of the detected pulse rate.Projector modules of the output devices 390 a, 390 b, 390 c, 390 d, 390e, 390 f, and/or 390 g may project a visual indication of informationindicative of a pulse rate, blood flow, blood oxygen level, bloodpressure, skin salinity level, temperature, weariness level, acognoscente condition of the user, an inebriation condition of the user,or any other biological and biometric information to a user of the smartring. Additionally, the ring may project images and indications of astate of a user such as erratic behavior of the sure, sleepiness of theuser, stress level of the user, etc.

In embodiments, the output devices 390 a, 390 b, 390 c, 390 d, 390 e,390 f,and/or 390 g may display or project a visual indication dependenton detected vehicular statuses. For example, the smart ring maycommunicate with sensors of a vehicle, with a communication module ofthe vehicle, or with another device or network to obtain currentstatuses of the vehicle and parts of the vehicle. For example, theoutput devices 390 a, 390 b, 390 c, 390 d, 390 e, 390 f, and/or 390 gmay display or project a low fuel graphic or image to indicate that thegas in the tank of a vehicle is below a minimum threshold. The outputdevices may similarly display or project a graphic or image to indicatethat the heat of the engine of the vehicle is too high or a tire of thevehicle has an air pressure below a threshold. Additionally, the outputdevices may display or project a visual indication to presentinformation to the user indicative of an oil level, needed oil change,coolant level, exhaust fume legal compliance, break pad health, lowbattery charge, flat tire, alternator failure, tirealignment/misalignment, transmission issue, power steering fluid level,brake fluid level, transmission fluid level, windshield wiper fluidlevel, etc.

In embodiments, the output devices 390 a, 390 b, 390 c, 390 d, 390 e,390 f, and/or 390 g may display or project a visual indication dependenton vehicular operations. For example, the smart ring may communicatewith sensors of the vehicle, with a communication module of the vehicle,or with another device or network to obtain a current speed of thevehicle. The output devices 390 a, 390 b, 390 c, 390 d, 390 e, 390 f,and/or 390 g may project the numerical value of the speed (e.g., 32), ora graphic or color indicating that speed of the vehicle is above amaximum speed threshold or below a minimum speed threshold, and theoutput devices 390 a, 390 b, 390 c, 390 d, 390 e, 390 f, and/or 390 gmay present a different graphic or color if the detected speed isbetween the maximum and minimum speed thresholds. In embodiments, theoutput devices 390 a, 390 b, 390 c, 390 d, 390 e, 390 f, and/or 390 gmay display or project visual indications to present to a userinformation indicative of a speed of a vehicle, an acceleration of avehicle, a current altitude of the vehicle, the lane centering of thevehicle, a fuel efficiency of the vehicle, an autopilot function statusof the vehicle (e.g., autopilot is activated/not-activated), anautonomous driving function of the vehicle is operational, an autonomousdriving function of the vehicle is activated, air bags areactivated/de-activated, a seat belt is latched/unlatched, a temperatureof the environment inside of the cabin of the vehicle, etc.

In embodiments, the output devices 390 a, 390 b, 390 c, 390 d, 390 e,390 f, and/or 390 g may display or project a visual indication dependenton external factors or environmental factors in, and around, thevehicle. For example, the smart ring may communicate with sensors of thevehicle, with a communication module of the vehicle, with communicationmodules of other nearby vehicles, with a mobile device of the user ofthe smart ring, or with another device or network to obtain informationand statuses of nearby vehicles. For example, it may be communicated tothe smart ring that a nearby driver is driving erratically, and thesmart ring may display or project a warning message, a graphic, or thecolor red to indicate that the driver (e.g., the user of the smart ringdevice) should be cautious. Additionally, the output devices may displayor project visual indications, signals, and information indicative ofcurrent or predicated weather conditions (e.g., rain, snow, extremeheat, etc.), current external environmental conditions (e.g., wet/slickroads, fog levels, a visibility level, dangerous breathing air, externaltemperature, etc.), current conditions inside of the cab of the vehicle(e.g., the temperature, air quality, moisture level, etc.).

In embodiments, the output devices 390 a, 390 b, 390 c, 390 d, 390 e,390 f, and/or 390 g may output visual indications and signals toindicate many driving conditions during operation of a vehicle such asthe congestion of drivers along a road or planned trip route, thecurrent proximity of the vehicle to external objects outside of thevehicle (e.g., other vehicles, pedestrians, trees, etc.), or otherfactors associated with operation of a vehicle.

The output devices 390 a, 390 b, 390 c, 390 d, 390 e, 390 f, and/or 390g may display or project visual indications to a user of a smart ring,any number of driving conditions as described above. Driving conditionsmay be considered to be any element or factor that may have an influenceor impact on the operation of a vehicle. For example, the weariness ofan operator of the vehicle may be considered to be a driving condition,as well as the visibility of a road due to a rainstorm. The drivingconditions may include one or more of the examples above including,without limitation, any operation of a vehicle, status of a vehicle orpart of a vehicle, biometric of a user of the smart ring, operation ofthe smart ring, status of the smart ring, external environmentalfactors, and external driving factors. Additionally, it is envisioned,that the user of the smart ring may be a driver of a vehicle and thebiometric information may be used to determine the sleepiness of thedriver, inebriation condition of the driver, or otherwise, cognoscentecondition of the driver.

While described above as “displaying or projecting visual indications”,the output devices 390 a, 390 b, 390 c, 390 d, 390 e, 390 f, and/or 390g may provide other visual signals or outputs indicative of drivingconditions. For example, the output devices 390 a, 390 b, 390 c, 390 d,390 e, 390 f, and/or 390 g may each portray information to a userthrough flashes or optical pulses projector module, presenting images,characters, or symbols by the projector module, or presenting wholesentences and messages via the projector module. The output devices 390a, 390 b, 390 c, 390 d, 390 e, 390 f, and/or 390 g may include one ormore projector modules for projecting characters or symbols, andscrolling of characters or symbols, as described in simultaneousreference to FIG. 3 , FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B, FIG. 4C, and/or FIG. 5 .

V. An Example Smart Ring Projector Module for Displaying Information

FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B, FIG. 4C, and FIG. 4D are example illustrations ofsmart ring devices 480 a, 480 b, 480 c, and/or 480 d with outputdevices, such as any of the output devices 490 a, 490 b, 490 c, 490 d,490 e, 490 f, and/or 490 g , having a smart ring projector modules 482a, 482 b, 482 c, and/or 482 d for projecting characters, symbols,images, and animations indicative of driving conditions identified bythe smart ring devices 480 a, 480 b, 480 c, and/or 480 d. The projectormodules 490 a, 490 b, 490 c, and/or 490 d, each include optical sources492 a, 492 b, 492 c, and/or 492 d and projection optics 494 a, 494 b,494 c, and/or 494 d. The optical sources 492 a, 492 b, 492 c, and/or 492d are configured to provide optical energy to the projection optics 494a, 494 b, 494 c, and/or 494 d, for the projection optics 494 a, 494 b,494 c, and/or 494 d to project an image, visible character, symbol, orother visual indication of information pertaining to driving conditions,onto a surface. In embodiments, the optical sources 492 a, 492 b, 492 c,and/or 492 d may include LEDs, LDs, OLEDs, a black body source, amonochromatic optical source, or other sources of optical energy. Inembodiments, the projection optics 494 a, 494 b, 494 c, and/or 494 d mayinclude one or more of a bandpass filter, an edge pass filter, a coloredglass, a spectral filter, a neutral density filter, a multivariateoptical element, a tunable optical filter, a spatial filter, adiffraction grating, a lens, an aperture, or another optical element forprojecting an image. The projection optics 494 a, 494 b, 494 c, and/or494 d may be any optical elements for manipulating optical energy forthe imaging of information indicative of driving conditions. Inembodiments, the projector modules 480 a, 480 b, 480 c, and/or 480 d maybe configured to project on a multitude of surfaces such as a dashboardof a vehicle, a front windshield of a vehicle, a window of a vehicle, aceiling of the inside of a cab of a vehicle, a table, a designatedsurface for displaying the information, or another surface for aprojection to display information to a driver.

The smart ring device 480 a of FIG. 4A is an example of a smart ringdevice having the projector module 490 a entirely on an outer surface484 a of a ring band 482 a of the smart ring device 480 a, The opticalsource 492 a is disposed on, or inside of, the outer surface 484 a. Theprojection optics 494 a are disposed on the outer surface 484 a, or onthe optical source 492 a configured to project the optical energyprovided by the optical source onto a surface 496 a to form an image,visible character, symbol, or other visual information indicative ofdriving conditions.

In another embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 4B, the smart ring device480 b may include a projector module 492 b that has the optical source492 b disposed on, or inside of, an inner surface 486 b of a ring band482 b. The projection optics 494 b may be disposed on, or within thering band 482 b away from the optical source 492 b to receive opticalenergy from the optical source 492 b to project an image, character,symbol, or other visual information indicative of driving conditions,onto a surface 496 b. The smart ring device 480 b of FIG. 4B may furtherinclude projection optics disposed on top of the optical source 492 b,or on the inner surface 486 b of the ring band to receive the opticalenergy from the optical source 492 b before the optical energy isprovided to the projection optics 494 b disposed on, or inside of, thering band 482 b.

In yet another embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 4C, the smart ring device480 c may include a projector module 490 c with the optical source 492 cdisposed on, of inside of, an outer surface 484 a of a ring band 482 cof the smart ring device 480 c. The projection optics 494 c may bephysically independent from the ring band 482 c, and be spatiallyconfigured to project an image, character, symbol, or other visualinformation indicative of driving conditions, onto a surface 496 c. Theprojection optics 494 c may be held by a mount 498 c or other structurefor mounting the projection optics 494 c. The mount 498 c may be astand, a clamp, a mirror mount, a lens mount, an optical rotatablemount, a motorized mount, a prism mount, a filter mount, a diffractiongrating mount, or another mount capable of mounting the projectionoptics 494 c.

In still another embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 4D, the smart ringdevice 480 d may include a projector module 490 d with the opticalsource 492 d disposed on, or inside of, an outer surface 484 d of a ringband 482 d. The projection optics 494 d may be positioned by a mount 498d relative to the optical source to project an image, character, symbol,or other visual information indicative of driving conditions, onto asurface 496 d. The mount 498 d may be coupled to the ring band 482 d andmay be removable from the ring band 482 d. The mount 498 d may becapable of mounting multiple optical elements of the projection optics494 d for projecting the image. In embodiments, the mount 498 d may bepart of a housing component (e.g., the housing component 210 e of FIG. 3) or may be attachable to a platform (e.g., the platform 210 h of FIG. 3).

In envisioned embodiments, a projector module may project images, orvisual images indicative of driving conditions from a side surface of asmart ring device (e.g., the first and second side surfaces 308 g and309 g of FIG. 3 ). For example, LEDs or LDs may be disposed on sidesurfaces to display an image of a circle that changes color dependent ondriving conditions. A portion of a circle may be displayed to indicatespeed (e.g., a speedometer) or another gauged value or measurement. Inembodiments, projection modules configured to project visual informationindicative of driving conditions may include projection optics, or maynot include projection optics when a laser or LDs.

The projector modules 490 a, 490 b, 490 c, and/or 490 d may displaycharacters, symbols, words, or sentences, to a user of a smart ringdevice. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4A, the projector module 490a may project numerals (e.g., “32”) that may be indicative of a speed ofa vehicle, a number of miles traversed during operation of a vehicle,the number of miles left to get to a destination of a vehicle, biometricinformation of a wearer of the smart ring device, or another metric orother information as described herein. As illustrated in FIG. 4B, theprojector module 490 b may project a caution message that reads“Caution: Slick Roads Ahead.” The message may be too long to display atone time on the surface 496 b. The output device 490 may then displaycharacters, symbols, words, and/or sentences sequentially in frames, forexample, as illustrated in FIG. 4C, displaying the word “Caution” for afew seconds, and then displaying a new frame with the words “Slick RoadsAhead,” (not illustrated in FIG. 4C).

Displaying messages in frames allows for the projector modules 490 a,490 b, 490 c, and/or 490 d to display longer messages, but may not besuitable for smooth reading of entire sentences or text messages.Therefore, the projector modules 490 a, 490 b, 490 c, and/or 490 d maydisplay information in the form of a message in a manner that themessage is scrolled across the surfaces 496 a, 496 b, 496 c, and/or 496d. The projector modules may project and scroll any characters, symbols,sentences, colors, images, or messages indicative of one or more drivingconditions as described above.

Additionally, the projector modules 490 a, 490 b, 490 c, and/or 490 dmay display (e.g., by way of scrolling) a symbol or series of symbols,such as a happy face, thumbs up, check mark, or other symbol that may beindicative of a driving condition. For example, a smart ring device mayattempt to establish a communication link with a mobile device of theuser of the smart ring device, or with a communications module of avehicle being driven by the user of the smart ring device. The projectormodules 490 a, 490 b, 490 c, and/or 490 d may display a check mark toindicate that the communication link has been successfully established.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a method 550 for controlling the scrollingof information across a projection surface via projection from aprojector module, such as by the projector modules 490 a, 490 b, 490 c,and/or 490 d across corresponding surfaces 496 a, 496 b, 496 c, and/or496 d as illustrated in FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B, and/or FIG. 4C. Scrolling ofinformation and controlling the scrolling of information allow for moreinformation to be displayed or projected by an output device of a smartring. Additionally, scrolling of information allows for output devicesof a smart ring to display longer messages, whole sentences, and otherindications of information that may not fit onto a display of an outputdevice. In embodiments, a controller or a processor may be configured tocontrol the scrolling of the information projected by an output device,such as the projector modules 490 a, 490 b, 490 c, and/or 490 d.

In embodiments, a processor of the smart ring including a projectormodule may be configured to cause the projector module to scroll theinformation across a surface according to user inputs received at thesmart ring. The user inputs may cause the processor to initiatescrolling, halt scrolling, increase the speed of the scrolling, ordecrease the speed of the scrolling, among other potential scrollingcommands and functionalities.

At block 552, the smart ring receives, at a user input unit such as theuser input unit 170, an initial user input to initiate the scrolling ofprojected information. In embodiments, the user input unit 170 mayinclude a haptic sensor, a microphone or audio sensor, an opticalsensor, a pressure sensor, an accelerometer, a button, a switch, anorientation sensor that detects the physical orientation of the smartring, or another sensor. In embodiments, the user input may include ahaptic input, audio input (e.g., audio command from a user), a currentphysical orientation of the smart ring, a change in orientation of thesmart ring, an activation of a button, an activation of a switch, acaptured image (e.g., an image of a user looking at the smart ring),etc. At block 554, the smart ring initiates the scrolling of theprojected information.

After initiation of the scrolling of the projected information, the userinput unit 170 may receive a secondary user input at block 556, atertiary user input at block 558, or a halting user input at block 560.At block 562, the processor may cause the projector module to increasethe scrolling speed of the projected information in response toreceiving the secondary user input at block 556. Alternatively, at block564, the processor may cause the projector module to decrease thescrolling speed in response to receiving the tertiary user input atblock 558. Additionally, at block 564, the processor may cause theprojector module to halt the scrolling in response to receiving thehalting user input at block 560. At block 568, the processor checks tosee if an end condition has been met. The end condition may include thescrolling of the entire message or projected information, a change inorientation of the smart ring device, a sensor input (e.g., imaging of auser face observing/not observing the output device 490, haptic inputsuch as clenching of a fist, rotation of ring, a change in theorientation of the smart ring, etc.), a timing out of a display time forthe projected information, etc. At block 568, if the terminatingcondition has been met, the processor may cause the projector module tostop presenting the information and may cause the smart ring device toresume previous displays projected by the projector module, or may causethe projector module to display other messages, images, or projectedinformation. Otherwise, if the terminating condition has not been met,the current scrolling state (e.g., speeding up the scrolling, halting ofthe scrolling, etc.) may be applied and the projected information maycontinue to scroll, or otherwise be displayed, and further user inputsmay be received by the user input unit 170.

Additionally, the method 500 may include a block or step (not shown) inwhich a terminating user input is received by the user input unit 170 atany time during the method 500. The terminating user input may cause theprocessor to directly proceed to block 570, thereby endingimplementation of the method 500.

Examples of each of the secondary, tertiary, and halting user inputsinclude: a haptic input, audio input (e.g., audio command from a user),a current physical orientation of the smart ring, a change inorientation of the smart ring, an activation of a button, an activationof a switch, a captured image (e.g., an image of a user looking at thesmart ring), etc. Each of the user inputs may be dependent on a currentstate of the scrolling (e.g., a currently halted scrolling, a currentspeed of the scrolling, etc.). Additional functionalities are alsoenvisioned such as a rewinding of the scrolling allowing a user of thesmart ring device to review information that has already scrolled off ofthe projection.

In embodiments, the output unit 190 of FIG. 1 , the output devices 390a, 390 b, 390 c, 390 d, 390 e, 390 f, and/or 390 g, and/or the outputdevice 490, may include LEDs as optical sources for projector modules,and may be configured to illuminate the LEDs in specific patterns,generating an optical signal, to transmit information from a smart ringto another device or system. For example, the LEDs may generate opticalpulses that transmit bits of information to an optical sensor toidentify a user of the smart ring. In other examples, a projector moduleof the output units 190 may display coded information such as a UPCcode, QR code, 2D barcode, PDF417 code, AZTEC code, or another codedimage or graphic to transmit information to an optical sensor toidentify a user of the smart ring. One specific example includescommunication, via an image or optical output from the output unit 190or output devices 390 a, 390 b, 390 c, 390 d, 390 e, 390 f, and/or 390g, the identification of a wearer of the smart ring to a smart lock orelectronic lock of a vehicle. The optical signal received by theelectronic lock may unlock the door depending on a confirmedidentification of the wearer of the smart ring being an approved driverof the vehicle. Another example includes identifying the wearer of thesmart ring to provide permissions to the wearer to operate a vehicle, toobtain statuses of the vehicle parts (e.g., engine performanceinformation, coolant levels, etc.), to obtain a list or timestamped listof previous drivers of the vehicle, to obtain a history of maintenancesperformed on a vehicle, etc. Permissions may include providing access toan account associated with the wearer of the ring to transmit data andinformation from the smart ring device to a device (e.g., cellulardevice, network, laptop, etc.) accessing the account associated with thewearer of the smart ring, or to transmit data and information from adevice accessing the account associated with the wearer of the smartring to the smart ring device. The optical signal (e.g., captured image,optical pulse, etc.) may be used to identify a user for logging intodevices and computers, determining permissions to enter a room,permissions to open a cabinet or closet, identification and permissionsat a medical facility, identification and permissions at an educationalinstitution, clocking into/out of a work place, and identification foroperation of a vehicle, among other identification purposes. The outputunit 190 and output devices 390 a, 390 b, 390 c, 390 d, 390 e, 390 f,and/or 390 g, and projector modules 490 a, 490 b, 490 c, and/or 490 dmay be configured to provide the optical signal (e.g., image, graphic,optical pulse, encoded optical image or signal, etc.) to an opticalfiber, optical waveguide, photodiode, avalanche photodiode,charge-coupled device, photoresistor, photomultiplier, imaging camera,or other optical sensor. Additionally, the optical signal provided bythe output unit 190 may include one or more signal modulationsincluding, but not limited to, on-off keying, amplitude shift keying,frequency shift key, binary phase shift keying, phase modulations,amplitude modulation, spatial modulations, polarization modulation, or aquadrature amplitude modulation.

It should be appreciated that a variety of suitable surface elements maybe disposed at the illustrated configurations 305 a, 305 b, 305 c, 305d, 305 e, 305 f, and/or 305 g at largely interchangeable locations. Forexample, the output elements 390 d, 390 e, and/or 390 f may be replacedwith sensors (e.g., UV sensor, ambient light or noise sensors, etc.),user input devices (e.g., buttons, microphones, etc.), interfaces (e.g.,including patch antennas or optoelectronic components communicativelyconnected to communications units), or other suitable surface elements.

VI. Examples of Optical User Inputs

In some implementations, a smart ring device may include a sensor unit,user input unit, and an output unit such as the smart ring 101 of thesystem 101 of FIG. 1 . The user input unit 170 may cooperate with theoutput unit 190 to create a virtual user interface with capabilities ofmuch larger computer systems. For example, the output unit 190 mayinclude a projector module that projects a virtual keyboard onto asurface. A user may then type on the virtual keyboard and an opticalsensor of the user input unit 170 may receive the user input via anoptical signal provided by the typing on the virtual keyboard. Theoptical sensor may include a camera, a CCD sensor, a photodiode, oranother type of optical sensor. Additionally, the output unit 190project a web browser interface and a user may touch the projectedicons, links, or a menu selection to interact with the website and webbrowser.

In embodiments, the output unit 190 may display or project a loginscreen needing a user login and user verification. In embodiments, thelogin and verification may be typed onto a virtual keyboard as describedabove. In other embodiments, either or both of the user login andverification may be a physical gesture performed by the user andreceived by an optical sensor of the user input unit 170. For example, avirtual use handshake with a sequence of multiple hand gestures mayconstitute the user login and/or verification. For example, signlanguage may be used as a visual input to act as the user input.to theuser input unit 170. The out unit 190 may display a security questionneeding a specific answer to be entered via a virtual keyboard or byother means as described herein. In embodiments, the user input mayinclude one or more of a hand gesture, a hand movement, an inputperformed by a stylus, a gesture performed on a surface with aprojection on the surface, with another virtual interaction with aprojection, or another optical input or virtual projection basedinteraction. In embodiments, the user input may identify a user of asmart ring device, identify a driver of a vehicle, provide a user withpermissions to devices and locations as described elsewhere herein,allow a user to manipulate and edit documents, navigate websites,control scrolling of information, view images, or control the projectionof images and information to instruct the output unit to display whereto, or where not to, project the information, among other envisionedcommands and input purposes.

VII. Example Displays

FIG. 6 illustrates a set of example display devices 500 according tovarious embodiments, including example displays 500 a, 500 b, 500 c, 500d, 500 e, and/or 500 f that may be provided by way of a smart ring suchas the smart ring 101 of FIG. 1 , ring configurations 305 a, 305 b, 305c, 305 d, 305 e, 305 f, and/or 305 g of FIG. 3 , or smart ring devices480 a, 480 b, 480 c, and/or 480 d of FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B, FIG. 4C, and FIG.4D, for the purpose of displaying information relevant to monitoredsleep patterns, predicted risk exposure, and a remediating action torestore or eliminate risk exposure (e.g., providing a usernotification). Each of the display devices 500 may be part of the system100 shown in FIG. 1 , and each may be utilized in place of or inaddition to any one or more of the display devices shown in FIG. 1 .Each display device 500 may be similar in nature to any of the displaydevices of ring 405, user device 422, mobile device 444 as shown in FIG.7 , or vehicle 546 shown in FIG. 6 , capable of performing similarfunctions and interfacing with the same or similar systems; and each ofthe devices 101, 405, 422, 444, and 546 may provide output via any ofthe displays 500 a, 500 b, 500 c, 500 d, 500 e, and/or 500 f, inaddition to or in place of their respective displays, if desired.

In an embodiment, the display devices 500 may display the level ofdriving risk exposure data (e.g., as a score, a figure, a graph, asymbol, or a color field, etc.) and the suggested remediating actions(e.g., as a written text, a code, a figure, a graph, or a symbol, etc.).Examples of remediating actions will be described later in more detail.More generally, each of the display devices 500 may present visualinformation based at least in part upon data received from any of thedevices 405, 422, 444, 446, or the server 450 shown in FIG. 4 .

As shown, the display device 500 a is a screen of a mobile phone 522(e.g., representing an example of the mobile device 422) that may becoupled to the smart ring 405. The display device 500 b is an in-dashdisplay of a vehicle 546 (e.g., representing an example of a displayintegrated into the dash or console of the vehicle 446) that may becoupled to the smart ring 405. The display device 500 c is a projectorfor smart ring 505 (e.g., representing an example of the smart ring405), which could be part of the ring output unit 190 and its exampleoutput devices 390 d, 390 e, and/or 390 f. The display device 500 d is aheads-up display (HUD) for a vehicle (e.g., the vehicle 446) projectedonto a windshield 517, which may also communicate with the smart ring405 via the network 440. Alert 518 is a sample alert, which may displayto the user any combination of a predicted level of driving risk exposer(e.g., driving risk score) and a suggested remediating action. Thedisplay device 500 e is a screen for a tablet 544 (e.g., representing anexample of the mobile device 444, which may communicate with the smartring 405). The display device 500 f is a screen for a laptop 521 (e.g.,representing an example of the mobile device 444, which may communicatewith the smart ring 405) that may be coupled to the smart ring 405.

VIII. Example Devices with which a Smart Ring may Interact

FIG. 7 illustrates an example environment 400 within which a smart ring405 including a projector module, such as the projector modules 490 a,490 b, 490 c, and/or 490 d, may be configured to operate. Elements ofthe environment 400 may obtain information indicative of drivingconditions, communicate them to the smart ring 405, and the smart ring405 may display information indicative of the driving conditions viaoutput elements of the smart ring (e.g., a projector module). In anembodiment, the smart ring 405 may be the smart ring 101. In someembodiments, the smart ring 405 may be any suitable smart ring capableof providing at least some of the functionality described herein.Depending on the embodiment, the smart ring 405 may be configured in amanner similar or equivalent to any of the configurations 205 a, 205 b,205 c, 205 d, 205 e, and/or 205 f or 305 a, 305 b, 305 c, 305 d, 305 e,and/or 305 f shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 .

The smart ring 405 may interact (e.g., by sensing, sending data,receiving data, receiving energy) with a variety of devices, such asbracelet 420 or another suitable wearable device, a mobile device 422(e.g., a smart phone, a tablet, etc.) that may be, for example, the userdevice 104, another ring 424 (e.g., another smart ring, a charger forthe smart ring 405, etc.), a secure access panel 432, a golf club 434(or another recreational accessory), a smart ring 436 worn by anotheruser, or a steering wheel 438 (or another vehicle interface).Additionally or alternatively, the smart ring 405 may be communicativelyconnected to a network 440 (e.g., WiFi, 5G cellular), and by way of thenetwork 440 (e.g., network 105 in FIG. 1 ) to a server 442 (e.g., server107 in FIG. 1 ) or a personal computer 444 (e.g., mobile device 106).Additionally or alternatively, the ring 405 may be configured to senseor harvest energy from natural environment, such as the sun 450.

The ring 405 may exchange data with other devices by communicativelyconnecting to the other devices using, for example, the communicationunit 160. The communicative connection to other device may be initiatedby the ring 405 in response to user input via the user input unit 170,in response to detecting trigger conditions using the sensor unit 150,or may be initiated by the other devices. The communicative connectionmay be wireless, wired electrical connection, or optical. In someimplementation, establishing a communicative link may includeestablishing a mechanical connection. The ring 405 may display orotherwise convey to a user of the ring 405 information or data receivedfrom any devices communicatively coupled to the ring 405, and morespecifically data indicative of one or more driving conditions asdescribed herein.

The ring 405 may connect to other devices (e.g., a device with thecharger 103 built in) to charge the battery 120. The connection to otherdevices for charging may enable the ring 405 to be recharged without theneed for removing the ring 405 from the finger. For example, thebracelet 420 may include an energy source that may transfer the energyfrom the energy source to battery 120 of the ring 405 via the chargingunit 430. To that end, an electrical (or optical) cable may extend fromthe bracelet 420 to an interface (e.g., interfaces 112 a, 112 b, 312 a,312 b) disposed at the housing (e.g., housings 110, 210 a, 210 b, 210 c,210 d, 210 e, 210 f, 210 g, 210 h, and/or 210 i) of the ring 405. Themobile device 422, the ring 424, the golf club 434, the steering wheel438 may also include energy source configured as chargers (e.g., thecharger 103) for the ring 405. The chargers for may transfer energy tothe ring 405 via a wired or wireless (e.g., inductive coupling)connection with the charging unit 130 of the ring 405.

IX. Examples of Other Considerations

When implemented in software, any of the applications, services, andengines described herein may be stored in any tangible, non-transitorycomputer readable memory such as on a magnetic disk, a laser disk, solidstate memory device, molecular memory storage device, or other storagemedium, in a RAM or ROM of a computer or processor, etc. Although theexample systems disclosed herein are disclosed as including, among othercomponents, software or firmware executed on hardware, it should benoted that such systems are merely illustrative and should not beconsidered as limiting. For example, it is contemplated that any or allof these hardware, software, and firmware components could be embodiedexclusively in hardware, exclusively in software, or in any combinationof hardware and software. Accordingly, while the example systemsdescribed herein are described as being implemented in software executedon a processor of one or more computer devices, persons of ordinaryskill in the art will readily appreciate that the examples provided arenot the only way to implement such systems.

The described functions may be implemented, in whole or in part, by thedevices, circuits, or routines of the system 100 shown in FIG. 1 . Eachof the described methods may be embodied by a set of circuits that arepermanently or semi-permanently configured (e.g., an ASIC or FPGA) toperform logical functions of the respective method or that are at leasttemporarily configured (e.g., one or more processors and a setinstructions or routines, representing the logical functions, saved to amemory) to perform the logical functions of the respective method.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference tospecific examples, which are intended to be illustrative only and not tobe limiting of the present disclosure, it will be apparent to those ofordinary skill in the art that changes, additions or deletions may bemade to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit andscope of the present disclosure.

Throughout this specification, plural instances may implementcomponents, operations, or structures described as a single instance.Although individual operations of one or more methods are illustratedand described as separate operations, one or more of the individualoperations may be performed concurrently in certain embodiments.

As used herein, any reference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment”means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristicdescribed in connection with the embodiment is included in at least oneembodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in variousplaces in the specification may not be all referring to the sameembodiment.

As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,”“including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, areintended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process,method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements may notbe limited to only those elements but may include other elements notexpressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, orapparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, “or” refersto an inclusive “or” and not to an exclusive “or.” For example, acondition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (orpresent) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present)and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).

In addition, use of the “a” or “an ” are employed to describe elementsand components of the embodiments herein. Generally speaking, when asystem or technique is described as including “a” part or “a” step, thesystem or technique should be read to include one or at least one partor step. Said another way, for example, a system described as includinga blue widget may include multiple blue widgets in some implementations(unless the description makes clear that the system includes only oneblue widget).

X. General Terms and Phrases

Throughout this specification, some of the following terms and phrasesare used.

Bus according to some embodiments: Generally speaking, a bus is acommunication system that transfers information between componentsinside a computer system, or between computer systems. A processor or aparticular system (e.g., the processor 454 of the server 450) orsubsystem may communicate with other components of the system orsubsystem (e.g., the components 452 and 456) via one or morecommunication links. When communicating with components in a sharedhousing, for example, the processor may be communicatively connected tocomponents by a system bus. Unless stated otherwise, as used herein thephrase “system bus” and the term “bus” refer to: a data bus (forcarrying data), an address bus (for determining where the data should besent), a control bus (for determining the operation to execute), or somecombination thereof. Depending on the context, “system bus” or “bus” mayrefer to any of several types of bus structures including a memory busor memory controller, a peripheral bus, or a local bus using any of avariety of bus architectures. By way of example, and not limitation,such architectures include Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus,Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, VideoElectronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, and PeripheralComponent Interconnect (PCI) bus also known as Mezzanine bus.

Communication Interface according to some embodiments: Some of thedescribed devices or systems include a “communication interface”(sometimes referred to as a “network interface”). A communicationinterface enables the system to send information to other systems and toreceive information from other systems, and may include circuitry forwired or wireless communication.

Each described communication interface or communications unit (e.g.,communications unit 160) may enable the device of which it is a part toconnect to components or to other computing systems or servers via anysuitable network, such as a personal area network (PAN), a local areanetwork (LAN), or a wide area network (WAN). In particular, thecommunication unit 160 may include circuitry for wirelessly connectingthe smart ring 101 to the user device 104 or the network 105 inaccordance with protocols and standards for NFC (operating in the 13.56MHz band), RFID (operating in frequency bands of 125-134 kHz, 13.56 MHz,or 856 MHz to 960 MHz), Bluetooth (operating in a band of 2.4 to 2.485GHz), Wi-Fi Direct (operating in a band of 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz), or anyother suitable communications protocol or standard that enables wirelesscommunication.

Communication Link according to some embodiments: A “communication link”or “link” is a pathway or medium connecting two or more nodes. A linkbetween two end-nodes may include one or more sublinks coupled togethervia one or more intermediary nodes. A link may be a physical link or alogical link. A physical link is the interface or medium(s) over whichinformation is transferred, and may be wired or wireless in nature.Examples of physicals links may include a cable with a conductor fortransmission of electrical energy, a fiber optic connection fortransmission of light, or a wireless electromagnetic signal that carriesinformation via changes made to one or more properties of anelectromagnetic wave(s).

A logical link between two or more nodes represents an abstraction ofthe underlying physical links or intermediary nodes connecting the twoor more nodes. For example, two or more nodes may be logically coupledvia a logical link. The logical link may be established via anycombination of physical links and intermediary nodes (e.g., routers,switches, or other networking equipment).

A link is sometimes referred to as a “communication channel.” In awireless communication system, the term “communication channel” (or just“channel”) generally refers to a particular frequency or frequency band.A carrier signal (or carrier wave) may be transmitted at the particularfrequency or within the particular frequency band of the channel. Insome instances, multiple signals may be transmitted over a singleband/channel. For example, signals may sometimes be simultaneouslytransmitted over a single band/channel via different sub-bands orsub-channels. As another example, signals may sometimes be transmittedvia the same band by allocating time slots over which respectivetransmitters and receivers use the band in question.

Memory and Computer-Readable Media according to some embodiments:Generally speaking, as used herein the phrase “memory” or “memorydevice” refers to a system or device (e.g., the memory unit 144)including computer-readable media (“CRM”). “CRM” refers to a medium ormedia accessible by the relevant computing system for placing, keeping,or retrieving information (e.g., data, computer-readable instructions,program modules, applications, routines, etc.). Note, “CRM” refers tomedia that is non-transitory in nature, and does not refer todisembodied transitory signals, such as radio waves.

The CRM may be implemented in any technology, device, or group ofdevices included in the relevant computing system or in communicationwith the relevant computing system. The CRM may include volatile ornonvolatile media, and removable or non-removable media. The CRM mayinclude, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory, or othermemory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or otheroptical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic diskstorage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which canbe used to store information, and which can be accessed by the computingsystem. The CRM may be communicatively coupled to a system bus, enablingcommunication between the CRM and other systems or components coupled tothe system bus. In some implementations the CRM may be coupled to thesystem bus via a memory interface (e.g., a memory controller). A memoryinterface is circuitry that manages the flow of data between the CRM andthe system bus.

Network according to some embodiments: As used herein and unlessotherwise specified, when used in the context of system(s) or device(s)that communicate information or data, the term “network” (e.g., thenetworks 105 and 440) refers to a collection of nodes (e.g., devices orsystems capable of sending, receiving or forwarding information) andlinks which are connected to enable telecommunication between the nodes.

Each of the described networks may include dedicated routers responsiblefor directing traffic between nodes, and, optionally, dedicated devicesresponsible for configuring and managing the network. Some or all of thenodes may be also adapted to function as routers in order to directtraffic sent between other network devices. Network devices may beinter-connected in a wired or wireless manner, and network devices mayhave different routing and transfer capabilities. For example, dedicatedrouters may be capable of high volume transmissions while some nodes maybe capable of sending and receiving relatively little traffic over thesame period of time. Additionally, the connections between nodes on anetwork may have different throughput capabilities and differentattenuation characteristics. A fiberoptic cable, for example, may becapable of providing a bandwidth several orders of magnitude higher thana wireless link because of the difference in the inherent physicallimitations of the medium. If desired, each described network mayinclude networks or sub-networks, such as a local area network (LAN) ora wide area network (WAN).

Node according to some embodiments: Generally speaking, the term “node”refers to a connection point, redistribution point, or a communicationendpoint. A node may be any device or system (e.g., a computer system)capable of sending, receiving or forwarding information. For example,end-devices or end-systems that originate or ultimately receive amessage are nodes. Intermediary devices that receive and forward themessage (e.g., between two end-devices) are also generally considered tobe “nodes.”

Processor according to some embodiments: The various operations ofexample methods described herein may be performed, at least partially,by one or more processors (e.g., the one or more processors in theprocessor unit 142). Generally speaking, the terms “processor” and“microprocessor” are used interchangeably, each referring to a computerprocessor configured to fetch and execute instructions stored to memory.By executing these instructions, the processor(s) can carry out variousoperations or functions defined by the instructions. The processor(s)may be temporarily configured (e.g., by instructions or software) orpermanently configured to perform the relevant operations or functions(e.g., a processor for an Application Specific Integrated Circuit, orASIC), depending on the particular embodiment. A processor may be partof a chipset, which may also include, for example, a memory controlleror an I/O controller. A chipset is a collection of electronic componentsin an integrated circuit that is typically configured to provide I/O andmemory management functions as well as a plurality of general purpose orspecial purpose registers, timers, etc. Generally speaking, one or moreof the described processors may be communicatively coupled to othercomponents (such as memory devices and I/O devices) via a system bus.

The performance of certain of the operations may be distributed amongthe one or more processors, not only residing within a single machine,but deployed across a number of machines. In some example embodiments,the processor or processors may be located in a single location (e.g.,within a home environment, an office environment or as a server farm),while in other embodiments the processors may be distributed across anumber of locations.

Words such as “processing,” “computing,” “calculating,” “determining,”“presenting,” “displaying,” or the like may refer to actions orprocesses of a machine (e.g., a computer) that manipulates or transformsdata represented as physical (e.g., electronic, magnetic, or optical)quantities within one or more memories (e.g., volatile memory,non-volatile memory, or a combination thereof), registers, or othermachine components that receive, store, transmit, or displayinformation.

Although specific embodiments of the present disclosure have beendescribed, it will be understood by those of skill in the art that thereare other embodiments that are equivalent to the described embodiments.Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is notto be limited by the specific illustrated embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for displaying information indicative ofdriving conditions to a driver via a smart ring device, the systemcomprising: a ring band having a plurality of surfaces including aninner surface, an outer surface, a first side surface and a second sidesurface; a processor disposed within the ring band and configured to:receive data from: a communication module disposed within the ring band,or one or more sensors disposed within the ring band; and analyze thedata to identify one or more driving conditions including a state of thedriver; and a projector module disposed at least partially within thering band and communicatively coupled to the processor, wherein theprocessor is configured to cause the projector module to presentinformation indicative of the identified one or more driving conditionsincluding the state of the driver.
 2. A system according to claim 1,wherein the projector module is at least partially disposed on the outersurface of the ring band.
 3. A system according to claim 1, furthercomprising a user input unit communicatively coupled to the processor,the user input unit comprising at least one of a haptic sensor or anoptical sensor.
 4. A system according to claim 3, wherein a user inputcomprises a user login and a user verification.
 5. A system according toclaim 3, wherein the user input includes one of a hand gesture, a handmovement, an input performed by a stylus, a gesture performed on asurface of a projection, and a virtual interaction with the projection.6. A system according to claim 1, wherein the projector modulecomprises: an optical source configured to emit optical energy; and oneor more projection optics configured to project the emitted opticalenergy from the optical source onto a surface to display informationindicative of the one or more driving conditions.
 7. A system accordingto claim 6, wherein the optical source is disposed such that the emittedoptical energy is emitted from the inner surface of the smart ring, andthe one or more projection optics is physically coupled to the smartring device to project the emitted optical energy onto the surface todisplay information indicative of the one or more driving conditions. 8.A system according to claim 6, wherein the optical source is disposed atleast partially within the ring band, and the one or more projectionoptics is physically independent from the ring band and configured toproject the emitted optical energy from the optical source onto thesurface to display information indicative of the one or more drivingconditions.
 9. A system according to claim 1, wherein the projectormodule comprises a laser diode configured to emit optical energy, andwherein the projector module is configured to project the optical energywithout utilizing projection optics to manipulate the optical energyemitted from the laser diode.
 10. A system according to claim 1, whereinthe information indicative of the identified one or more drivingconditions includes one of a speed of a vehicle, an acceleration of avehicle, a current weather condition, a sleepiness condition of adriver, a cognoscente condition of a driver, an operational status of avehicle, an inebriation condition of a driver, and biometric informationof a wearer of the smart ring device.
 11. A method of displayinginformation indicative of driving conditions to a driver via a smartring device comprising: receiving, by a processor disposed in a ringband of a smart ring device configured to be worn by a driver of avehicle, data from: a communication module disposed within the ringband, or one or more sensors disposed within the ring band; analyzing,by the processor, the data to identify one or more driving conditionsincluding a state of the driver; and displaying information indicativeof the identified one or more driving conditions including the state ofthe driver via a projector module disposed at least partially within thering band, and wherein the ring band has a plurality of surfacesincluding an inner surface, an outer surface, a first side surface, anda second side surface.
 12. A method according to claim 11, wherein theprojector module is at least partially disposed on the outer surface ofthe ring band.
 13. A method according to claim 11, wherein displayingthe information indicative of the identified one or more drivingconditions comprises: receiving, via a user input unit communicativelycoupled to the processor, a user input from at least one of a hapticsensor or an optical sensor.
 14. A method according to claim 13, whereinthe user input includes one of a hand gesture, a hand movement, an inputperformed by a stylus, a gesture performed on a surface of a projection,and a virtual interaction with the projection.
 15. A method according toclaim 11, wherein the projector module comprises: an optical sourceconfigured to emit optical energy; and one or more projection opticsconfigured to project the emitted optical energy from the optical sourceonto a surface to display information indicative of the one or moredriving conditions.
 16. A method according to claim 15, wherein theoptical source is disposed such that the emitted optical energy isemitted from the inner surface of the smart ring, and the one or moreprojection optics is physically coupled to the smart ring device toproject the emitted optical energy onto the surface to displayinformation indicative of the one or more driving conditions.
 17. Amethod according to claim 15, wherein the optical source is disposed atleast partially within the ring band, and the one or more projectionoptics is physically independent from the ring band and are configuredto project the emitted optical energy from the optical source onto thesurface to display information indicative of the one or more drivingconditions.
 18. A method according to claim 11, wherein the projectormodule comprises a laser diode, and wherein the projector module isconfigured to display information indicative of the one or more drivingconditions.
 19. A method according to claim 11, wherein the informationindicative of the identified one or more driving conditions includes oneof a speed of a vehicle, an acceleration of a vehicle, a current weathercondition, a sleepiness condition of a driver, a cognoscente conditionof a driver, an operational status of a vehicle, an inebriationcondition of a driver, and biometric information of a wearer of thesmart ring device.
 20. A method according to claim 11, furthercomprising: initiating, by the processor, the scrolling of theinformation indicative of the identified one or more driving conditionsupon receiving, via a user input unit, a user input; halting, by theprocessor, the scrolling of the information upon receiving, via the userinput unit, a user input; increasing, by the processor, the scrollingspeed of the information upon receiving, via the user input unit, a userinput; and decreasing, by the processor, the scrolling speed of theinformation upon receiving, via the user input unit, a user input.